Religious gatherings have proven to be the third-greatest source of community spread of coronavirus, after meat-packing plants and colleges and universities.
DISTANCE FROM OTHERS, AND REMEMBER THE MASK IS IMPORTANT AS WELL. BACK TO YOU. >> THANK YOU, ADAM. IN ROBESON COUNTY, THE NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES HAS JUMPED 120% IN JUST THREE WEEKS. >> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT, AND THE NUMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO CLIMB HERE. PART OF THE REASON IS BECAUSE EXPERTS ARE SAYING FOLKS HERE ARE INVOLVED WITH INDOOR CHURCH SERVICES, AND THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM. OFFICIALS WANT THE WORD OUT THAT COVID-19 CASES ARE ON THE RISE. ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, RESIDENTS ARE NOT DOING THE SIMPLE THINGS THAT KEEP THE VIRUS AT BAY. >> WE REITERATE MASKING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING STILL REMAINS A PROBLEM. >> Reporter: ONE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM IS INDOOR CHURCH SERVICES. DURING THE PAST FOUR MONTHS, AT LEAST FOUR CHURCHES HAVE REPORTED OUTBREAKS OF THE VIRUS, INCLUDING EAST LUMBERTON BAPTIST CHURCH. DURING THE PAST MONTH, THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 40 CASES OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHURCH AND AT LEAST FOUR PARISHIONERS HAVE DIED. >> I HAVE PATIENTS THAT I'M SEEING THAT ARE POSTCOVID, AND WHEN I'M ASKING THEM HOW THEY CONTRACTED THE VIRUS, I'M SEEING PATIENTS ON A REGULAR BASIS THAT GOT IT FROM GOING TO CHURCH AND WORSHIPING AND NOT WEARING A MASK. >> Reporter: THE PASTOR AT EAST LUMBERTON BAPTIST CHURCH DIDN'T WANT TO GO ON CAMERA BUT SAYS THEY HAVE SWITCHED TO OUTDOOR SERVICES AND HOPE OTHERS WILL DO THE SAME. >> THEY HAVE ALTERED THEIR SERVICES AND OPERATIONS, AND FOLLOWERS THANK THEM FOR THE CHANGES. >> Reporter: IN ADDITION, TESTING IS KEY TO FIGHT THE VIRUS. THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THE TESTING HERE INTO NOVEMBER, AND THE TESTS HERE WILL BE FREE.
